Category Archives: Outfits

I absolutely cannot believe that this is my last set of photos of me pregnant. 2016 was such an incredible year and it ended the best way it could, with my perfect baby boy (I will introduce you to him soon!). I am pretty shocked that I am 11 days into the new year and this is my first post. Today also happens to be my 31st birthday and I am so excited to start this new year and new age with my sweet boy. The timing is really amazing.

Time seems to fly with a newborn and my days are 150% focused on my sweet boy. I will post his birth story and all my suggestions for how to prep for a hospital stay. There are a lot of changes happening in my life and that will be reflected in the blog as well, thank you all for staying with me during this last year during some pretty inconsistent posting. I hope to start new, and refreshed for 2017 and create some new fun content for you! I also plan on bringing you along my ‘getting my body back after baby’ chapter in my life. I will be very transparent about the whole thing, is there anything else anyone wants to know about? Shoot me an email! heropenwindow@gmail.com

Now to the outfit: If you have followed me for a while, you will know I am all about the casual basics. While pregnant I really stuck to my regular style and kept it simple. This dress from Pink Blush Maternity (obsessed with their robes as well) and cardigan from Mavi were go-tos for me because they were so easy, flattering and comfortable. Not to mention, they are both affordable. The cardi is actually something I haven’t taken off since having the baby. I can wear it around the house and layer it since it has been so freezing here in NYC. I am so happy I loaded up on cardigans while preggo, something that I could buy in my regular size to wear after baby as well. If you are expecting during fall and winter, I highly suggest buying tons of cardigans! Another plus, they cover your growing booty, not too sure why…but the booty tends to grow during pregnancy too…or was that just me?

Oh yes, I’ve gained enough! I felt pretty insecure about my weight gain in the first two trimesters, but over all, I am fine with how much weight I gained. I know it will take a ton of work to lose it all, but I plan on starting a new health series once I am cleared to work out.

Maternity clothes?

Scroll down to check out the incredible line, Isabella Oliver. Her clothes are absolutely beautiful, very well made, and the chicest designs. The clothing really looks like non-maternity. Mamas to be, please check it out, you will be in love!

Baby movement?

Oh yes. TONS of kicks, shifts and punches!

But, my little one hasn’t flipped; he is breech. We found out at my 32 week appointment and it doesn’t look like he is moving. He is VERY comfortable right side up, seems to be a particular little guy! I was bummed when I found out he wasn’t moving and that I most likely wouldn’t be able to deliver naturally. There are a few options when it comes to breech babies and their deliveries, but my husband and I were not at all comfortable with the doctor manually turning the baby, so we opted to schedule a c section. I will let you ladies know about the recovery and how things go. I am nervous to say the least, but my excitement far outweighs my nerves.

Sleep?

Haha what’s that? I am barely getting through the night, but I guess that is just God’s way of getting new moms ready for sleepless nights ahead!

Cravings?

They mainly went away, except I have started craving cookies like crazy! New Yorkers, have you tried Insomnia Cookies or the chocolate chip cookies at The Standard Grill? Dangerous!

Aversions?

I can eat chicken again! I couldn’t up until about a month ago. It was the weirdest thing!

Symptoms?

Well, did you know Carpal Tunnel is a temporary pregnancy symptom? Ha! Me either. Well, I have it in my hands and it makes sleeping that much more tough. My fingers are sore and tingly. It’s so annoying! Also, joint pain and hip pain. Blah!

Missing anything?

Drinking and sushi! I am so ready to have a glass of champagne on New Year’s Eve!!

Exercise?

Well…. no. I really had zero motivation to work out. I am a person who enjoys working out, but just could not get it together during my pregnancy.

Best moment this week?

Starting Maternity Leave. I worked until Saturday night, so I have only had 4 days off, but I am so happy to have had this time to rest. I’ve been nesting like crazy and I am so so so excited to meet my boy. Seriously SO close!

Looking forward to?

Meeting my little man!!

On my mind?

Although, I have not loved being pregnant, (it’s tough people!) but I am feeling sad that it is coming to the end. I will miss this belly and feeling my baby move all day long. I’ve loved learning about pregnancy, taking classes and reading up on my growing boy. The whole experience is incredible, but tough, so tough. I am relieved to get my body back and get rid of these symptoms, but I really have loved carrying a part of my husband around with me and growing our baby. Ugh, so emotional!

Ladies! I am excited to share with you the BEST online shop for all things maternity. Let me explain, when you get pregnant it is inevitable that you have to buy clothing that you will only wear for a few months. Whether it’s jeans, dresses, tops whatever, you end up spending money on clothes that have an expiration date on them. It’s tragic! I have tried my best to incorporate my current clothes into my maternity wardrobe but it can be, ummm challenging. My number one rule in maternity shopping is: do not spend a ton of money on things you will not be able to wear after the baby comes. Well, Shop Tilden has answered all my pregnancy shopping problems. Imagine being able to wear your favorite brands during pregnancy and AFTER you have the baby. Umm hello, sign me up!

Shop Tilden has carefully curated non maternity clothing options that will comfortably fit pregnant women through out the 9 months and after the baby comes when your body is back. You can shop amazing brands like Joie, ALC, Equipment, DVF, Rails, Vince, Enza Costa… The list goes on and on. Remember, all the clothing selections are non-maternity, so my non-preggos can happily shop as well!

I am wearing this amazing Joie sweater in these pics and I am so happy I can still wear it throughout the winter and feel comfortable, cozy and chic. Ladies, please check out Shop Tilden, I can assure you you will fall in love with this amazing online retailer.

Well hello there! When I signed into post I realized my last post was a month ago?! Wow. Where are the weeks going? This whole pregnancy has been such a whirl wind and I cannot believe I have about 3 weeks left! I am so excited to meet my sweet boy, it’s all I can think about!

Speaking of pregnancy, you all know that my rule for dressing has been staying true to myself and staying comfortable. These two looks are exactly that and to top it off, I am wearing maternity jeans from one of my favorite denim lines, Mavi. If you remember, I fell in love with Mavi a few months ago, so when they told me about their maternity line, I JUMPED at the chance to try it out. Needless to say, the quality is amazing, fit is perfection, and they are extremely comfortable. These three things are the way to this preggo’s heart.

I styled them two ways, look one, for a night out, and look two…my mom-i-form, my ultimate go-to.

I hope all you ladies had a wonderful weekend! We are really gearing up for baby here at home and putting the finishing touches on baby boy’s nursery. I wasn’t feeling great the last few days but I’m trekking along at 30.5 weeks pregnant (these pics were taken a few weeks ago…belly is so much bigger now) and getting more and more excited to meet our little man face to face. With changes at home, you will continue to see changes here on HOW too. Keep coming back this week to see more new fun posts!

High on my never ending list of things-to-buy-by-the-time-baby-comes is the perfect diaper bag. I wanted a bag that was chic, versatile, has compartments, and well…that doesn’t look like a diaper bag. Enter: Lo and Sons Seville Bag. Now this is NOT a diaper bag. It is the most perfect light weight laptop bag, but you will see why I will utilize it for my diaper bag. The Seville fits your laptop perfectly tucked inside with compartments and space for everything you need for your work day or travel. Now… the BEST part about this bag… the exterior changes so you can change your bag to go with your outfit without the struggle of moving everything inside of one bag to another. The handles attach to the lining and unhook from the exterior for easy switching. Anyone else switch bags and ALWAYS leave their credit card behind? OMG I do it all the time. So annoying. Well, problems are solved with Lo and Sons. Check out their website and their beautiful bags here. You will see why, this perfect laptop bag will be my perfect diaper bag and still has space for my laptop. It really is the perfect everything-bag.